Carlisle's Isa Paschall told himself he wasn't going to lose to his freshman teammate.
It didn't matter for Paschall that he was going against the best freshman in the nation.
It took everything the junior had to beat Herd ninth-grader Deshawn Millington in the triple jump at Saturday's 26th Stan Morgan Invitational, held at Carlisle High School's Ken Millen Field.
And both jumpers are on top of the state because of it.
Paschall won the event with a hop, skip and leap of 49-10, defeating Millington, who registered a 49-4.
Paschall's winning mark is the best in the state and Millington's is No. 2. The jumpers also made their mark on the national scene, with Paschall ranking No. 6 and Millington checking in at No. 13. Millington is on top of the national freshman field by nearly four feet.
"I told myself I just couldn't let this freshman beat me. He's really good, but I can't let him beat me," Paschall said. "I love being No. 1 in the state and having that kind of pressure. I think it will bring out the best in me with everyone gunning and pushing for me."
Paschall had a wake-up call when Millington, previously with a PR of 45-3, started hitting jumps of 47 and 48 feet in the prelims. Millington then nailed his 49-4 in finals, putting the pressure on Carlisle's main man.
Paschall was fired up and when it was his turn to take his second jump of finals, he unleashed a monster jump.
"It was just kind of adrenaline, I was pumped," Paschall said. "I ran at the board hard and everything clicked. The bad part was the landing. If I would've hit the landing, I would've had a 50 or 51."
Millington, in his first year running track, said he wanted to beat Paschall "so bad," but added that he's very happy with the way he performed.
"I told Isa he wasn't getting this one," Millington said. "He said he was going to jump 50 feet and wasn't going to let a freshman beat him."
With the postseason set to begin next week, both jumpers have aspirations of conference, district and state titles.
Millington, who averaged 10 points per game for Carlisle's basketball team and has dreams of being like former star Billy Owens, has an idea of what to expect in the weeks to come.
"There's a lot of competition out there, I know that for a fact," Millington said. "People are going to be hungry to get us. We're going to do our best to challenge each other."
While Paschall and Millington are lighting up the state with their marks, Herd distance ace Zach Brehm isn't. Not yet, anyway. Brehm, who won the 1,600 (4:23.11) and 3,200 (9:34.11), promises that we have yet to see his best.
Brehm, the defending AAA state champion in the 800, says he's been saving himself for the postseason. Expect him to slam on the gas pedal once the postseason begins.
"I wasn't going for any records or fast times today," Brehm said. "I've been just preparing myself for the championship season. If you look around the state, guys are just dropping time right now. I want to try and make sure I peak as well I can in the postseason."
As far as Brehm's options for the postseason, those are wide open. He's capable of big things in everything from the 800 to the 3,200 and is also a viable option for Carlisle's 4x400 and 4x800 squads.
Another hoping to prove himself in the postseason is Boiling Springs' Jonathan Goodson. The senior defended his invitational title in the 800 (1:56.44) and took second to Brehm in the 1,600 (4:24.46).
Goodson is breaking out late in the season and is ready to go after the competition at the AA level.
"Zach is a phenomenal athlete. Phenomenal. We all know that," Goodson said. "I've got a lot of confidence right now. I've been running with AAA guys all season and even though I haven't always been winning, I've been a part of the races and have been somebody to worry about.
"I know there will always be somebody faster and better than me, but I want to be able to tell myself before each race that it's go time and I can run with anybody."
Other boys winners included Central Dauphin's Charles Perry (110 hurdles, 15.53), Cumberland Valley's Chris Craig (100, 11.30), James Buchanan's Peter Hughey (400, 49.83), Mechanicsburg's Brad Powell (300 hurdles, 40.92) and Breon Coke (shot put, 46-0), Reading's Dontae Owens (200, 22.81), Carlisle's Bennett Candland (discus, 124-6) and Noah Chirico (pole vault, 12-0), Paschall (long jump, 21-8.5), Mount Carmel's Dominic Farronato (javelin, 171-1) and Gettysburg's Marquise Camel (high jump, 6-0).
Carlisle won the 4x100 in 43.49, James Buchanan took the 4x400 in 3:26.43 and Central Dauphin captured the 4x800 in 8:10.29.
Carlisle racked up 131 points to roll to its fourth consecutive David B. Eavenson, Sr. Memorial Team Trophy. The Herd, which won seven events, finished in front of Gettysburg (56), Mechanicsburg (55), James Buchanan (49) and Mount Carmel (44). Carlisle has won the invitational nine times since its inception in 1968.
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